Tracking of methanotrophs and their diversity in paddy soil: A molecular approach

Abstract

Methanotrophs, the inhabitants of irrigated rice soils, were monitored using molecular tools. Methanol d ehydrogenase coded by mxaF locus has been used as the genus -specific locus. The presence of the locus has been demonstrated in DNA extracted from soil sa m ples as well as in methanol utilizing isolates derived from those samples. Further, ARDRA pattern and cluster analysis revealed the following closely related genera – type -I methanotrophs Methylomonas and/or Methylocaldum in rhizosphere soil and co-existence of both type-I (Meth ylomonas and/or Methylocaldum ) and type-II methanotrophs Methylo -ba cterium and/or Methylocella in non -rhizosphere soil. M